DAVIDE SANTON is still undergoing his Premier League education – according to his boss Alan Pardew.

DAVIDE SANTON is still undergoing his Premier League education according to his boss Alan Pardew.

Santon is now pushing for a place at right-back with Danny Simpson, but the Italian is still adapting to life in the Premier League, a division that Pardew feels is very different to Serie A, where the 20-year-old plied his trade last season for Inter Milan.

At Blackburn, Santon shone at times but was left dumbfounded by several decisions that did not go his way.

Pardew told the Chronicle: There were a couple of set-plays that he was expecting to get.

And in Italy he would have got them.

But he didnt get them here and he stopped playing.

He now understands he is not going to get those type of free-kicks.

When you get brushed in Serie A it is a free-kick but not in England.

It is an awakening for him the power of the Premier League. I think he has experienced that.

But technically when hes got the ball he very rarely gives it away and is a very sound player.

Pardew firmly believes the best of Santon will come.

And he is still delighted with a player he described as a real capture back in August.

He said: He will add to our technical ability.

It is technical players that take you up a level.

He just has had to adjust to it.

Pardew sat down with the player after Blackburn and was delighted to get an immediate response.

He said: Ive already seen a different side to him in training and he has a bit more confidence in him already.